On the hunt for the best alternatives for WhatsApp? Well, we have got your back. With around 2.7 Billion active monthly users around the Global. The Facebook-owned WhatsApp messenger is, without any doubt, the most used messaging service in the world.
It regularly rolls out updates and keeps adding new features to make the user experience better. But some users need more than that; they need privacy; they need the trust that their valuable data will be safe. Although WhatsApp offers end to end encryption, there are too many loopholes in it.
Let’s be honest. We never read those long terms and conditions while signing up for something. WhatsApp cleverly advertises their app data being end to end encrypted, but the truth is that in those Terms and conditions, there are some things that give the Facebook group of companies several rights to use your data.
They can use your data for various purposes within the Organization and even provide it to the Governments if they seek it for any out of the way situation. Facebook, in particular, has been in the news for a lot of user data related things, and they are not right.
So, many people look for alternatives that are safer and secure than WhatsApp. If you’re amongst them, we’re here to help you. As the title goes, we’ll take you through some of the best alternatives you can use instead of WhatsApp.
10 Best WhatsApp Alternatives you must try
1. Signal – Private Messenger
This messenger is brought to you by the developers who have developed the end to end encryptions for WhatsApp. But unlike WhatsApp, Signal messenger has an open-source system, which makes it safer than WhatsApp.
To add to that, Signal also has a couple of security features like Self destructive messages and screen security features, which means that you won’t be able to take a screenshot when it’s enabled.
Elon Musk, The New Richest Man of the World, tweeted “Use Signal” on his twitter after WhatsApp updated its Privacy Policy to share data with Facebook.
Signal not only encrypts the text messages you send, but it also encrypts all the data that you share, including calls and media files. Nobody, not even Signal, can read your messages and hear your calls.
You can make and share your own stickers and also create groups just like WhatsApp. Signal only allows chat backup for android devices, that too in the device and not anywhere else.
Being this safe, it’s used by leading people in the IT world such as Edward Snowden and Jack Dorsey. What else do you need for confirmation that it’s truly a safe and secure alternative for WhatsApp?
Pros:
- Truly secure messaging environment
- Open source system
- Stores little to No metadata
- Encryption of Phone calls
Cons:
- Cannot use it if it’s not updated. And updates are quite frequent. That’s great for security, but we’ve added it under the cons section because the updates are quite regular and may hamper the experience.
- Media files only up to 300kbs can be sent.
- No chat backup option for iOS users.
Platform Availability:
- Android
- iOS
- iPadOS
- Windows
- Mac
- Linux
2. Telegram
This UK-based messaging app is the best alternative for WhatsApp. It does everything that a messenger is supposed to do. With loads of extra features, its user interface is simple, new users will have no problem setting it up.
With an open API, it’s more trusted by the users, and many prefer it over WhatsApp. Telegram messages are end-to-end encrypted, just like WhatsApp, and you can also send Self-destructive messages.
In comparison, WhatsApp allows you to create groups containing 256 members and share files up to 100 MBs. In Telegram, You can create a group that can hold up to 200,000 users and shares media files up to 2 Gigabytes in a single go.
It offers voice as well as video calls. There are a lot of fun features like Bots and games that can be accessed inside the messenger that will enhance your experience.
Pros:
- Open API.
- Group size up to 200,000 members
- Ability to send media file up to 2GB
- Very lightweight for the device.
- Secured Encryptions for user data.
- Ability to add Bots and play games.
Cons:
- Collects metadata ( stored into the servers for 12 months maximum)
Platform Availability:
- Android
- iOS
- Windows mobiles
- iPadOS
- Windows PC
- MacOS
- Linux
3. Wire
This beauty of a messaging app is third on our list, It’s developed by a Switzerland based company, just like its origin country, it’s the user interface is beautiful and a treat to the eyes.
A good user interface and secured open-source system make it an ideal alternative to WhatsApp. It is independently audited, and the audit results are also made public, thus making it transparent in its approach.
It has an end to end encryption technology and also offers a self-destructing message feature. The wire has its own cloud facility where chat backups can be made. It offers both audio and video calling with end to end encryption.
Group video calls can be made using Wire for up to 10 people. You can log in to Wire from multiple devices at once, a feature that WhatsApp doesn’t provide.
Pros:
- Open-source systems.
- Ability to log in from multiple devices at once.
- A simple yet beautiful and different user interface as compared to other messengers
- Ability to Group video call.
Cons:
- It keeps your metadata.
- Focus is on the corporate world.
Platform Availability:
- Android
- iOS
- macOS
- Browser extensions
- Linux
4. Viber
Also known as Rakuten Viber is a Japan-based VoIP messaging app that goes head to head with WhatsApp. It has almost everything that WhatsApp has to offer and even has some features that WhatsApp lacks.
Your messages, calls, and even shared media is end to end encrypted on Viber. You can create groups on Viber with up to 250 users and even group video calls with up to 20 users.
There is support for GIFs and Stickers too. You can either import or make your own stickers and share it with your connections. Viber’s stand out feature is that it allows international calling with nominal rates to users who don’t have a Viber account.
It can be used on multiple devices at a given time. One more feature that Viber offers is the community feature. There are a lot of communities on Viber where you can socialize by liking and commenting on posts.
Pros:
- Video conferencing is possible
- Can make international calls to users who don’t have Viber at nominal rates.
- Communities to socialize
- Ability to play games inside the app
Cons:
- It supports advertisements
- Not so user-friendly interface.
Platform Availability:
- Android
- iOS
- iPadOS
- Windows PC
- Mac
- Linux
5. Threema
Things get serious when it’s about Threema. It’s a paid application and one of the most secure messaging apps that you can get in the market. It ends to end encrypts messages, shared media, and even status activities.
No metadata is collected, and more than one type of encrypted chat backup options are available with Threema. It lacks in the calling section, neither audio nor video call can be done using the app, and that is the reason we’ve listed it at the very end.
But even though it lacks in the calling section, if you look at the security aspect of the application, it’s worth overlooking those missing features.
Its interface is straightforward and not up to the marks of other messaging apps, but when it comes to user-friendliness, it’s relatively easy to use and setup. To use Threema, you don’t need to provide either a phone number or email address. That way, you create your ID anonymously.
Pros:
- Every message, along with media, is encrypted.
- No need to provide a phone number or email id for creating an account
- Simple and user-friendly interface
- Not anyone can message you. You need to approve messages first.
Cons:
- It’s a paid service.
- Trouble to operate with a slower internet connection.
- No open-source systems.
Platform Availability:
- Android
- iOS
- All Browsers
Conclusion
Although WhatsApp is a great messaging app, it’s not great for user’s privacy. The alternatives we’ve mentioned are not up to the mark of WhatsApp in terms of the user base, but when it comes to security, all are better.
Each app has its Pros and cons, and we’ve listed everything that you need to know before you choose any of the WhatsApp alternatives.
If you are using any other WhatsApp alternatives then let us know in the comment section, we will love to add on this best WhatsApp alternatives article.
Till than take care and don’t forget to share this on your social media with your friends.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is WhatsApp owned by Facebook?
Why should I use alternatives to WhatsApp?
Which alternatives should be avoided?
- We chat
- Facebook messenger
- Yahoo messenger